Chapter 52 He saw Chengdu two thousand years in the future…
Zhang Zhongjing turned around.
Old Li immediately recognized Dr. Zhang as the same doctor he had seen in a video call on his phone at noon, and was momentarily stunned. However, he didn't dwell on that and said eagerly:
"I wonder which version Dr. Zhang has read?"
"Old Li!" Wang Jingde stood up in surprise.
Old Li is quite a fan of Zhang Zhongjing; he attends every event that pays homage to the medical sage. His arrival was perfectly timed.
Zhang Zhongjing stood up with a smile and, after being introduced by Wang Jingde and Qian Chenghai, greeted the visitor. He hesitated somewhat after hearing the question. He didn't have the old version of the *Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases*, but he did have the original.
After considering it for a moment, he replied:
“We did have a copy at home before, but it was lost somewhere and we can’t find it now. If Dr. Li wants to see it, I can copy it down when I have time.”
I'll revise it myself as well.
Old Li said with some regret, "Then thank you very much, Dr. Zhang."
He didn't doubt that Zhang Zhongjing had made it up himself. Every word of that sentence was exquisite. If he could make it up, it could only mean that he had the potential to be a medical sage!
After this little incident, and after recognizing Zhang Zhongjing as the one who had stepped forward at the scene of the car accident the day before, Old Li completely abandoned his previous reservations and prejudices, and developed a great deal of goodwill towards him. In the following time, he eagerly discussed medical cases and books with Zhang Zhongjing.
After he discovered that Zhang Zhongjing had profound insights into the theories and prescriptions of the Sage of Medicine, he felt an instant connection with him, as if they were old friends who had known each other for a long time.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Wang Jingde couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Is this the same arrogant and noncommittal Old Li who spoke on the phone back then?
Before leaving, Old Li signed the recommendation form. He had finally noticed the name Zhang Zhongjing used in this era.
"Zhang Changsha?" Old Li was somewhat surprised, murmured the name aloud, then looked up with great joy in his eyes, "Dr. Zhang, it seems you are indeed destined to meet the Sage of Medicine. He also had another name, Zhang Changsha."
Zhang Zhongjing's original name was Zhang Ji. He served as the governor of Changsha, where he began practicing medicine. He decreed that the government office gates be opened on the first and fifteenth of each month, allowing people to come in for medical treatment. He would sit upright in the hall, examining patients. The title "sitting doctor" originated from this.
Therefore, he had a nickname: Zhang Changsha.
Zhang Zhongjing chuckled and said, "...It's all just a coincidence, a coincidence."
Su Jun listened from behind, a slight smile playing on his lips.
With Lao Li's signature, the recommendation form was quickly submitted to the relevant department. Next, Zhang Zhongjing only needed to pass the expert panel's assessment to obtain the certification of a renowned doctor in the province, and then naturally obtain a medical license.
After happily returning to the hotel, they ran into Lu Xiaoqi and Li Bing, who had also returned.
Su Jun asked, "How was your visit to the museum today?"
Lu Xiaoqi cleared her throat, her expression somewhat subtle. Su Jun understood, knowing that things had definitely exceeded her original expectations.
Lu Xiaoqi took Li Bing and Song Wusao to the museum, hoping they would learn about history. Song Wusao was quite interested, but Li Bing clearly didn't quite understand the museum format.
"Why are even the cooking utensils from before kept here?" Li Bing frowned, looking at the bronze artifacts displayed in the glass cabinet. "They're not anything special..."
There were even chopsticks and pen holders they used before...
What's so interesting about this?
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but secretly laugh for a long time.
During dinner that day, she told the others about what she had seen and heard that day.
Sister-in-law Song laughed: "It is indeed strange that a few broken porcelain bowls can be displayed here."
“These are just everyday utensils, yet they are displayed as if they were priceless treasures.” Li Bing said he didn’t understand but was deeply shocked. Of course, what he found most incomprehensible and unacceptable was that there were many burial objects among them. “How could they desecrate people’s graves?!”
The Qin state still retained a strong shamanistic culture and placed great importance on the afterlife. Tomb raiding was punishable by death in the Qin state.
Lu Xiaoqi quickly defended the archaeologists: "Archaeology and tomb raiding are not the same. Tomb raiding is purely for money, digging up people's ancestral graves. Archaeology, on the other hand, is a protective excavation, and what is unearthed actually supplements our understanding of our own civilization."
Without archaeology, these descendants would never know that their ancestors were so amazing. In such a primitive era, they could forge bronze artifacts like the Four-Sheep Bronze Zun and weave gauze garments that cannot be restored even today.
These are the very things that constitute national self-confidence and the cultural identity of the Chinese nation.
After hearing her explanation, Li Bing, Su Jun, and the others seemed to be deep in thought.
Sister-in-law Song laughed and said, "After reading the later parts, I did indeed feel, just as Xiao Lu said, that we people from the past were actually quite amazing."
Li Bing sighed, "Well, well, now I know that everything ends after death. If these items can still be of some use a thousand years from now, as my friend Lu said, then it will have been worth it."
After finishing their meal, the group strolled around as usual before returning to the hotel.
The next day, Zhang Zhongjing received a notification that the task of gathering expert reviewers had been scheduled for ten days later.
Lu Xiaoqi said apologetically, "In that case, we'll have to go now."
They couldn't stay in the provincial capital for more than ten days. After their trip to Hangzhou, they each had their own things to do. She had to accompany Li Bing to Sichuan, Su Jun had to go back to manage the various affairs in the ancient town, and Song Wu Sao had also made up her mind to go back and oversee the renovation of the restaurant in the ancient town in preparation for its opening.
Zhang Zhongjing waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright, it's alright, you all go about your business. Doctor Qian said he'll be waiting for me in the provincial capital for the assessment together."
He had already made arrangements with Wang Jingde to stay at the provincial medical college for the next ten days. Wang Jingde granted him the authority to choose his favorite classes and attend them freely. The condition was that once the renowned doctor certification was approved, he would have to give three lectures on traditional Chinese medicine at the school.
Zhang Zhongjing, of course, had no objection to this arrangement.
He has already decided on the courses he wants to take: microbiology and epidemiology are the key areas, and he also plans to attend other courses related to Western medicine.
Lu Xiaoqi felt relieved when she heard him say that, and with Qian Chenghai also present.
The next morning, they boarded the high-speed train to Hangzhou. Song Wu Sao and Su Jun, needless to say, were extremely nervous, experiencing a mix of trepidation and longing for home. Even Li Bing was filled with anticipation for this city, which originally belonged to the Yue state during the Warring States period, was later conquered by Chu, and ultimately shone brightly on the stage of Chinese history.
As soon as I stepped out of the high-speed rail station, I saw Zhao Feiyan and her assistant waiting for me, both wearing large sunglasses.
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled and teased her, "Your Majesty the Empress is starting to look like a celebrity!"
Zhao Feiyan now boasts over two million followers, making her a well-known and influential internet celebrity, as well as a cash cow for Qinghe Ancient Town.
All of Lu Xiaoqi's projects are in the expenditure stage, with only the MCN company she established incidentally generating some returns. The people operating within it haven't even reached the stage of accepting advertisements yet; they're just displaying their products in shop windows, which already brings in a decent small income.
But Zhao Feiyan was truly a darling of advertisers.
She's been rehearsing a dance drama in Hangzhou lately, with an assistant filming her and posting vlogs. The views and likes are quite good, standing out among similar works. Moreover, she's beautiful and has great charisma, her rise to fame is inspiring, her career is prestigious, and she has no negative press—her image is simply top-notch. Even if the advertising fees are higher, brands would still prefer to choose her.
Now she can command a six-figure price tag for a single advertisement, and in just two months, she's become a millionaire. No wonder everyone's scrambling to get into the influencer world.
Zhao Feiyan took off her sunglasses, her eyes filled with laughter: "Xiao Lu, you make fun of me the moment we meet."
Although Song Wu Sao and Zhao Feiyan were about the same age, they looked different, so she always couldn't help but treat her like a younger sister. After circling her once, Song Wu Sao nodded in satisfaction.
"That's good. A young lady should be beautiful. You look much better than when you were with me."
Judging from her appearance, she probably didn't suffer any grievances in the song and dance troupe.
Lu Xiaoqi introduced Li Bing to her. Zhao Feiyan was very respectful to Li Bing. She had often heard people talk about this prefect and the famous Dujiangyan Irrigation System during the Han Dynasty; he was truly a figure who would be remembered in history.
"Oh, by the way, Director Qin said she'd like to treat you to a meal," Zhao Feiyan said.
Lu Xiaoqi nodded: "She also mentioned it to me on WeChat."
Qinghe Ancient Town is now one of the investors in Qin Shaohua's dance drama "Treading on Golden Lotus," so it's normal for them to be so polite. Besides, she happens to have some things she wants to ask Qin Shaohua for help with.
Qin Shaohua spared no expense in entertaining Lu Xiaoqi, treating them to dinner at a high-end club by West Lake. During the meal, beautiful women dressed in Hanfu dance costumes would come to their private room to dance for them, giving them a true taste of the life of ancient high-ranking officials.
Of course, only she was truly excited and happy watching it. Those who had actually experienced it, such as Li Bing, Zhao Feiyan, and Su Jun, were completely uninterested. Compared to the extravagance of banquets in the past, this was nothing special. A banquet held in the home of any nobleman would be far more lavish. In their opinion, it would be more interesting to go to the pedestrian street to watch the crowds and eat at a roadside stall.
Lu Xiaoqi was thinking about business: "Wow, Qinghe Ancient Town should do this too. Set up a big restaurant with dancers and Hu women performing, and require everyone to wear ancient costumes. It would definitely be very interesting."
She thought for a moment: "Let's have a folk version, and then a court version."
Su Jun laughed: "Then we'll definitely do better than this."
He had attended many palace banquets in the Northern Song Dynasty, and could offer a lot of advice. He whispered to Lu Xiaoqi beside him.
Lu Xiaoqi's eyes lit up: "That's right!"
She had men not only in the Northern Song Dynasty, but also in other dynasties!
Qin Shaohua was quite interested after hearing this. She asked Lu Xiaoqi, "Does Miss Lu's company still need to recruit dancers? If so, I know quite a few, all of whom graduated with a degree in dance."
Lu Xiaoqi nodded quickly: "Yes, of course! The more the better!"
She was just about to tell Qin Shaohua about this.
Nowadays, cultural tourism projects, especially scenic spots of the scale of ancient towns and cities, are practically embarrassed to show their faces without a large-scale stage performance. She originally didn't expect to surpass the "Eternal Love" series or the "Impression" series; those are all well-known brands. However, Su Jun's reminder suddenly gave her a little bit of ambition.
Who knows?
With such a great boost from her, she might actually be able to create a brand that rivals her predecessors.
Since this idea has been put forward, dancers are indispensable, as are a backstage team.
"I'm here to ask you for a favor," Lu Xiaoqi said to Qin Shaohua. "We're thinking of putting on a musical performance, and we were wondering if you'd be interested in taking it on?"
After clarifying the situation, Qin Shaohua hesitated, "I'm afraid I don't have time. The second half of the year is the tour time for 'Treading on Golden Lotus,' and I'll definitely have to travel around with it. However... if Miss Lu trusts me, I can recommend a suitable person."
Lu Xiaoqi hadn't expected her to have time anyway, so upon hearing this, she immediately said, "Then I'll trouble Director Qin. I'll have someone coordinate the specific requirements later."
Qin Shaohua is now her biggest connection in the entertainment industry, and she's also reliable and has a high level of artistic skill. The people she recommends are unlikely to be bad.
"Okay!" The other party readily agreed, and then urged them to eat: "Come on, have some West Lake Vinegar Fish. This place is definitely not as good as Chef Song's, but it's still one of the better ones in Hangzhou."
Qin Shaohua visited Song Sao Fish Restaurant in Qinghe and ate there. She missed it very much after returning to Hangzhou.
Sister-in-law Song was eager to try it, but after taking a bite, her expression turned somewhat strange: "It seems like something's missing..."
Lu Xiaoqi, out of curiosity, tried it too, paused for a moment, and then put down her chopsticks. "Hmm, Fifth Sister-in-law's cooking is still the best. Never mind, I shouldn't try it rashly these next few days."
After dinner, the group stayed at a hotel by West Lake, which was converted from a tea shop owned by a wealthy merchant during the Qing Dynasty. The landscaping was beautiful and stylish. As soon as Song Wu Sao entered the garden gate, she smiled and said, "In the past, this area by West Lake was all government offices and residences of high-ranking officials. Ordinary people like us couldn't go in."
The Qiantang County Government Office, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Imperial Academy were all located here, along with the gardens of many princes and nobles. Although she used to make a living in the Qiantang Gate area, she only ever really visited West Lake a few times during major festivals, and even then, she could only access the areas that were open to ordinary people. Thanks to this time travel, she can now properly explore these scenic spots that were previously occupied.
“I remember that a few years ago, this place was occupied by many private clubs that were not open to the public,” Lu Xiaoqi recalled. “Later, the government issued an official document prohibiting them from doing so, and demolished many of them, which finally returned the scenery to the public.”
She had seen the news at the time.
Sister-in-law Song praised it highly: "This is truly rare."
After exchanging a few more compliments, the group took a stroll in the garden before returning to their respective rooms.
The next day, apart from Li Bing who stayed at the hotel to rest, everyone else went on a boat trip on West Lake, including Zhao Feiyan, who even took a rare half-day off.
The assistant brought her over and, to the big boss's praise of his own little boss, said, "Sister Zhao is so diligent. She goes to the rehearsal room early every day and is never late. She also leaves later than everyone else, not to mention she never asks for leave."
So initially, some people in the dance troupe had reservations about Zhao Feiyan being a newly appointed leading lady, but after she demonstrated her skills and diligence, no one said anything behind her back anymore. Now, Zhao Feiyan's position in the dance troupe is very secure.
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled and put her arm around her assistant: "So, is anyone pursuing your Sister Zhao?"
She wants to hear gossip!
Zhao Feiyan rolled her eyes helplessly, ignoring this boring person.
The assistant's face scrunched up like a bun: "We're all so busy, how could we possibly have time to meet other people? People might try to chat me up on the street, but... well, it's nothing to worry about..."
There isn't a single one who can fight.
Lu Xiaoqi laughed and let her go.
Zhao Feiyan remained calm. She had no interest in dating right now; fulfilling her wish and solidifying her life form was the most important thing.
The group bid farewell to their assistant, boarded a boat, and cruised the lake. As the small rowboat left the large lake and headed towards Turtle Pool and Maojiabu on the north side of West Lake, the beauty and natural charm of West Lake gradually unfolded before them.
They seemed to have entered a tranquil secret realm surrounded by lush greenery. The riverbed beneath them was serene, and they passed under one crescent-shaped bridge after another, with wild ducks and mandarin ducks occasionally swimming by, undisturbed by the tourists. In the distance, a night heron, carrying a twig in its long beak, glided through the air, heading back to build its nest. Occasionally, the upturned eaves of pavilions and towers could be seen peeking out from the depths of the greenery.
Song Wu Sao looked left and right and said, "She's much prettier than before."
It used to be beautiful, but more primitive. There were many places they dared not enter, all dense forests and swamps, teeming with wild animals. Further in, there was the Imperial Guard's garrison, and no one dared to approach.
Su Jun asked the boatman, "Is this Yanggong Causeway?"
Before coming, he had done his research and knew that besides the Bai Causeway, which he had heard of before, there were also the Su Causeway and the Yanggong Causeway. The Su Causeway was even built by Su Shi, whom he had met before. When Su Jun died, Su Shi was serving as the prefect of Hangzhou, so it must have been built at that time.
“Yes.” The boatman was clearly a chatterbox, and the question opened up a floodgate of conversation. “It was built by Yang Mengying, the prefect of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, after the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, no one cared about this area, and some powerful people occupied the lake as farmland, and West Lake was almost gone. After this Lord Yang came to be the prefect, he began to dredge West Lake and built this causeway, which is how West Lake was preserved. Tourists only know to go to Bai Causeway and Su Causeway, but we locals actually prefer to come to Yang Gong Causeway.”
When the boatman mentioned the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, Lu Xiaoqi was drinking tea and almost choked.
She glanced at Sister-in-law Song and Su Jun, both of whom remained calm. "Hmm, very good. It seems they've mastered it; they're quite composed even when hearing these words."
The boatman pointed to the road beside him and said, "Look, this road is called the Incense Offering Ancient Road. What does that mean? When we were young, there were no roads here. We would take a boat from the dock here to offer incense to Lingyin Temple and Faxi Temple, so it was called the Incense Offering Ancient Road."
Sister-in-law Song replied with a smile, "We were like that back then too."
However, the dock is a bit further away, and during festivals, small boats carrying incense can clog the waterway.
The boatman was delighted: "Are you also a native of Hangzhou, ma'am?"
Looking at the scenery around her, Sister-in-law Song said slowly, "I'm not from Hangzhou, but I came here when I was very young and lived here for many, many years. Later... I left."
The boatman was still very happy: "Then Hangzhou is still your hometown, welcome to come back and visit often."
Lu Xiaoqi clearly saw the tears welling up in Song Wusao's eyes for a moment, but when she turned around, she was still the kind neighborhood auntie with a smile on her face: "Okay, okay, I'll come back often."
She couldn't help but move a little closer to Sister-in-law Song, who gently patted her hand.
The return dock for the hand-rowed boat was located near Yue Fei Temple, which was an important part of their trip.
Lu Xiaoqi had never seen Su Jun with such a cold and aloof expression. He stood silently for a long time in front of the screen wall in Yue Fei Temple that read "Serve the country with utmost loyalty" before offering the flowers he had prepared in advance to the statue of Yue Fei and then bowing respectfully three times.
Although he learned about Yue Fei's deeds from later generations, he had already regarded him as a towering hero in his heart, and at this moment he felt extremely sad.
It's a pity that we can't burn incense or bring wine here, otherwise he would definitely have had a good drink with Marshal Yue!
As Song Wu Sao passed by the kneeling statues at the entrance, she couldn't help but spit on the ground, then slapped one of them, muttering, "This slap is for Marshal Yue, this slap is for the people of Lin'an..."
At that time, the people dared not speak out against their anger. Now, seeing these treacherous villains being infamous for eternity, kneeling before Marshal Yue's temple and being cursed by everyone, she finally got her wish and vented her anger.
After visiting West Lake, Lu Xiaoqi and Li Bing will fly to Chengdu the next day, while Su Jun and Song Wu Sao will stay in Hangzhou for two more days before returning to Qinghe City. They want to explore this ancient capital of the Southern Song Dynasty in detail.
Zhao Feiyan asked with some concern, "Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?"
Of these people, only she is allowed to travel far.
Lu Xiaoqi: "Really, there's no need. Don't worry, although Prefect Li doesn't seem to be in good health, his condition won't worsen before his wish is fulfilled."
And so, amidst everyone's worries, she accompanied Li Bing onto the plane.
The three people below watched the plane take off with a huge roar and then quickly disappear from sight outside the airport. Their feelings were very complicated, a mixture of longing and fear.
People these days are really daring.
Aren't you afraid of falling... Ugh!
Su Jun, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed the scene, gazing at the sky for a long time without looking down. No one who loves machinery could possibly dislike such a huge and beautiful steel bird soaring through the air. He decided to go back and buy a few books on the principles of airplanes.
High-speed rail, airplanes... this era is truly fascinating.
Zhao Feiyan: "I'll probably take the high-speed rail during the tour. I'm afraid of heights..."
Sister-in-law Song turned her head: "Then how do you dance in the palm of your hand?"
She said quietly, "There is still a difference between one or two meters and one or two thousand meters."
......
Li Bing sat on the plane and secretly glanced out the window. He saw fluffy white clouds, and had to crane his neck to see the mountains below. The once-tall houses looked like tiny black dots, and the roads resembled a chessboard.
He immediately sat back down.
Alas! So this is what it feels like to look down from such a height. He felt his body stiff, his limbs weak, and he had no strength at all.
Before boarding the plane, Li Bing was full of anticipation. Who could have imagined that he would be flying into the sky at the very last moment of his life? If he met Gan Mao, Meng Yi, and the others after he died, he would definitely brag about it for a long time, making these old buddies envious.
But it's really high!
Li Bing, who had traversed the Shu Road, never imagined that he would one day experience a fear of heights.
At that moment, the plane lurched, and the flight attendant's announcement immediately came on, informing everyone that the plane had entered a cloud cluster and there might be a brief period of turbulence. Lu Xiaoqi secretly glanced over and noticed that the veins on Li Bing's hands, which were gripping the armrest of his seat, were bulging.
She asked worriedly, "Are you alright?"
Li Bing glanced at her, feigning composure: "No, it's alright. When I was building the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, I often had to climb up the cliffs on both sides to check the terrain."
Lu Xiaoqi nodded seriously, secretly chuckling to herself. "Prefect Li, if only your voice hadn't trembled when you said that."
After lunch, Li Bing felt a little sleepy. He couldn't help it; he wasn't young anymore, and his old-fashioned phone always seemed to sluggish. He closed his eyes, intending to take a nap.
In a daze, he dreamed of things from the past.
It was during the reign of the late King Zhaoxiang of Qin that he was suddenly summoned to the palace: "I have heard that you are well-versed in the Waterways Classic. The Min River in Shu is causing great suffering to the people. I wish to send you with an imperial insignia to the west to take charge of the dredging work. Are you willing?"
At that time, he was still young and eager to make a name for himself. When the king entrusted him with an important task, he was overjoyed and immediately agreed: "Your Majesty does not regard me as lowly and entrusts me with an important task. I am naturally willing!"
The late king was very pleased. He rose from behind his desk, took his hand, and said, “Excellent! Excellent! Shu is the backbone of Qin. Although its fields are fertile, the rivers are raging, and a good harvest is hard to come by. If you can control the floods of the Min River, then the land of plenty can be built, the granaries will be full, and the army will be well-equipped. In the future, when our Qin state moves eastward to conquer the Central Plains, we will rely on this land!”
He gripped Li Bing's hand tightly, looking into his eyes: "The Shu region is a thousand miles away, and I entrust it to you!"
Li Bing bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's entrustment is a great responsibility, and I will not regret it even if I die nine times! I will devote myself wholeheartedly to securing the land of Shu and repaying Your Majesty's command!"
Suddenly, a shaking occurred, and the clear images in his mind shattered into pieces. He woke up to find Lu Xiaoqi shaking his arm.
Seeing that Li Bing was not in good spirits, Lu Xiaoqi initially wanted him to continue sleeping, but after hesitating for a few seconds, she decided to wake him up: "We're about to be over Chengdu, do you want to take a look?"
She herself enjoys seeing cities from an airplane, finding a unique and magnificent beauty in them. She thinks Li Bing would probably also like to see Chengdu from this perspective.
Li Bing was startled and quickly looked outside. His fear of heights still made him feel a little dizzy when he looked down, but after the plane flew over the somewhat familiar mountains and rivers, a vast plain suddenly appeared before his eyes!
In that instant, he immediately forgot all his discomfort.
He saw Chengdu two thousand years later.
A few stars appeared in his aged eyes.
Your Majesty, you have placed your trust in me, and I will repay you with the riches of the heavens!
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